Help for businesses hit by devastating floods
Feb 16 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal
MICRO-BUSINESSES in Cumbria hit by last year's floods are learning to cope with their aftermath and effects.
The University of Cumbria’s first Leading Enterprise and Development (LEAD) course, for businesses with fewer than 20 staff, is coming to an end and the second programme is preparing to launch.
It was put together to help small firms tackle the challenges they are still facing in partnership with SMEs and organisations including the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Cumbria Rural Development Agency.
Professor Steve Kempster, head of the university’s business school, said: “When we set out on the first of these courses we had no idea of the massive challenges some of the SME owner- managers would shortly be facing.
“Last year’s floods have affected them in many different ways – some have been directly affected, others have seen a knock-on effect.
“Course members have been able to use LEAD to help them look at those challenges caused by the effects of the floods and ways they can meet them.”
Martin Howell, from Cockermouth-based architectural practice Green Design Group, took part in the first course. His business was forced to temporarily move from the town centre because of the floods.
He said: “The course has been tremendously helpful in what have been very difficult times locally. A lot of people on the course have been affected and being together has given us the time to talk about our experiences and also to take a look at what is needed to help recovery.
“It has been a great support and advice network and it has been good to talk to people and share thoughts and experiences.”
Other businesses which were not flooded out also benefited from taking part. Karen Law, from Little Broughton-based Cumbria Pest and Hygiene, said: “We weren’t directly affected by the floods, but it has had a knock-on effect on the business, as a lot of our contracts are with companies that have suffered.
“The LEAD programme has proved timely in that it has helped us look at the challenges we have been facing.”
The course is scheduled to run for the next three years in Workington, Carlisle, Penrith and Furness. It has a target of working with 125 small business owner-managers across the county and each programme lasts for 10 months.
Numbers are now being finalised for the second group to take part, which starts in Carlisle later this month.
Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency which is funding the course, said: “While much of Cumbria is now operating as usual, there are many businesses which were severely affected by the floods.
“This type of support can really make a difference to whether or not some of these businesses continue to thrive.”
